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Sunday, July 31, 2016

Boise Riverside RV Park, Boise, Idaho

We’ve wanted to check out Boise for a long time but this is the first time we’ve been in the vicinity. Summers here are hot, with July and August averages around 90 degrees, but this week we are in a heat wave that is bringing it close to 100. In spite of the forecast we’re spending a week here at Boise Riverside RV Park, a great location just 5 miles from downtown.

When I called to make a reservation last week, they only had water and electric sites available, which back up to the Boise Greenbelt, a 25 mile paved bike/walking path along the Boise River.

This isn’t the prettiest park, all gravel with small patios at the narrow sites, but the shower/laundry building is very nice, and the free wifi even works sometimes. But having this right behind our site makes up for the negatives.

We’ve used it several times so far, both walking and biking, and there’s quite a bit of welcome shade on the trail.

The trail passes by several upscale neighborhoods. Boise seems like a nice city, and although traffic is not really bad, it takes forever to get anywhere due to the long lights, which we never seem to time right.

Jim sent back the bike seat he bought while we were in Joseph, OR, and ordered a different one, this strange looking Spiderflex that was delivered Friday. After the Boise Farmers Market yesterday morning (I had to buy Idaho potatoes), we took an 18 mile ride on the trail. Jim had no butt pain, so I think this one’s a keeper.

It really is bizarre looking, but I rode his bike for a little while and it felt pretty darn good, with no nose to rub on those “sensitive parts”.

We found a city park where they play pickleball so we joined in on Thursday morning. The players were about our level so we had some really good games and will definitely go back again while we’re here.

“Our work began in 1970 when the Peregrine Falcon was nearly extinct in North America. We developed the expertise to restore the species, and earned a unique reputation for saving all kinds of raptors. We also research little-known raptors, conserve habitat, educate students and the public, and build communities' capacity for conservation. People need birds of prey to ensure the health of the ecosystems we all share. Together, we are Saving Raptors and Enriching Lives.”

They also worked to bring back the Aplomado Falcon from near extinction in south Texas, and we got to meet one up close and personal at the Live Bird Presentation, along with a Perigrine Falcon. When we were almost at the center I realized we forgot to bring a camera, so we only got one halfway decent phone photo.

This is Rosa the Aplomado falcon. The volunteer was wearing a very heavy leather glove. She said she’s had one of the birds walk up her arm, which required a visit to first aid.

We took a guided tour of the Archives of Falconry, an ancient Arabic tradition of hunting with raptors. The large building contains photos, displays, artifacts and The Peregrine Fund Research Library which is one of the largest collections of scientific literature on birds in the world. A large wing of the building was built from a donation by Abu Dahbi’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, an avid falconer and conservationist.

Hunting of any kind is not my thing, but it was fascinating to see this huge goat hair tent, rugs, cushions, etc. that they carried out into the desert and set up as their home base for falconry hunts.

The dog is a Saluki, or Persian greyhound, brought along to retrieve the prey.

We enjoyed seeing live condors, owls, eagles, etc.(some of which were injured and can’t be released), but most are captives for educational and breeding purposes. It always makes us sad seeing animals confined, but then our cats are captives in a 30’ box, so I guess it’s really no different.

On the way home from the Birds of Prey, we stopped for a late lunch and a beer at Edge Brewing Co. where the Pug Face Porter was excellent. Boise has over 20 craft breweries and we also got to taste some really good beer from Powderhaus Brewing at the farmers market. That was a first for us, tasting beer at 9:30 in the morning, but we just couldn’t resist.

Jim also replaced our shower faucet, which has been having really low hot water pressure for a while now. He didn’t want to take off the old to see if it could be fixed without having a replacement, so after buying a new one here at an RV dealer, he removed the old one. Turns out the hot water side was clogged with mineral deposits, and rather than try to clean up the old, nasty looking faucet he just swapped it out for the new one and we’re good to go.

Luckily it’s going to be a bit cooler over the next few days so we should be able to get outside more. I’m ready for a hike, and we’ll try to remember to bring a camera.

We also like Boise as a great leg stretch with the big waterfront part and floating boardwalk. We've only stayed in the FS parks outside of town and not really been able to enjoy the city other than the waterfront park.

We spent our first two weeks as full timers at that park! Loved the trail. It was pretty hot when we stayed there too, and also smoke from summer fires. That bike seat is pretty weird looking, but if it works...!

We've only been to Boise on a motorcycle trip and said at that time, we need to come back one day. It seemed like a great city, but we aren't big city people. Well, we haven't made it yet. One day soon! I love having a bike path right there so you can get around some without a car. I like that new bike seat, nice and wide! Being comfortable is a huge must if one is going to bike far. I'm surprised you are out at all with your heat but then it is much less humid:) Just walking outside to get to the car has been too much here in Iowa some days. Oh, how we long to return to area of less humidity!!!